Friday, June 27, 2014

*I received this book as an eARC from Diamond Book Distributors/IDW Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodreadsTitle: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Utrom EmpireAuthor: Paul AllorPublication Date: July 29, 2014Synopsis: "Utrom Empire" takes us to the Technodrome where Krang's plans to destroy the Earth are ramping up. Little does he know that Baxter Stockman plans to harness its power for himself! As the two villains scheme, one imprisoned robot holds the key to success - Fugitoid! Will he be able to reach out to the Turtles in time? All this, plus the long-awaited story of the alien Utrom race!

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Review: I love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and it's rare that I don't at least enjoy any of their incarnations. This comic was no exception! Although the turtles make only a brief appearance, it's still a really interesting story and situation.I've never really read much of the background stories for most of the villains. I mean, I know the basics. But it was pretty neat to find out a little bit more about the Utrom empire and the alien Utrom race. I learned some new things all while biting my nails and hoping that Fugitoid would come through! I think these comics paint the villains in a different light and makes them easier to sympathize with. Krang, for example, only wants to save his people. Everything he does is to save a dying race, and if it means taking over Earth then so be it. He's willing to risk himself and his planet as long as his people will make it through. And Stockman is just so conflicted about everything. I wish that more of the movies and the TV shows had shown more of Stockman. Sure, he's definitely one of the more major villains, but he's certainly not around as much as, say, Shredder. I would totally recommend this comic to any fans of the TMNT universe! I enjoyed learning some more about characters other than the turtles, but I also enjoyed seeing how their actions affect the turtles. And I can't wait to continue this story and find out what happens next. Especially with who all Fugitoid contacted! A 4/5. --Ashley